THE MAGIC OF CITIES IN
ITALY:
A Journey Through History, Culture, and La Dolce Vita
What I truly love about cities in Italy is their singular blend of history, beauty, and culture. Cities and towns all over Italy, be they large or small, have a richness and diversity that make each of them unique.
Here are some of the reasons why Italian cities are worth visiting, and why you should consider including the lesser known ones in your itinerary as well as the more famous ones.
CENTURIES OF ART, ARCHITECTURE AND HISTORY
Living History
VeniceCities in Italy are living history. Walking through the streets of places like Perugia or Lucca makes you feel like you’re stepping back in time.
I spend hours wandering through the streets of the towns and cities I visit. Some of my personal favourites are the maze of canals and bridges of Venice and the medieval streets of towns like Verona and Padova.
One of the things I love about Italy is that each city has its own story. Some cities, like Florence, Venice or Turin, played key roles in Italian history, and even in the history of the world. So, whenever I go to these places, or visit a new town or city in Italy I feel like I am immersing myself in the continuity of this history.
Awe-Inspiring Architecture
Pisa
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Cities in Italy are known for their awe-inspiring architecture. If you're an architecture enthusiast -and even if you're not - you'll be blown away by the variety and sheer beauty of the architecture in Italy.
It's one thing to see the Gothic cathedrals of Siena or the Royal Palace of Caserta on a book or on video and to actually see them with your own eyes.
Most tourists visit cities which are famous for their iconic historic buildings, such as the Leaning Tower of Pisa, the ruins of Pompeii, the Duomo in Florence or the ancient theatre of Taormina in Sicily. But be sure to keep your eyes peeled for other architectural masterpieces not mentioned on guidebooks.
Art and Innovation
Art and innovation in Italy are not just a thing of the past but are still very much a part of modern-day Italy. Several Italian towns and cities are famous for their modern architecture and ecological urban design.
Milan, in particular, is a pioneer in contemporary architecture and sustainable urban planning. You might want to see initiatives such as the Fondazione Prada and the Bosco Verticale (Vertical Forest), which are establishing new norms for green living. Trento is famous for its “Le Albere” district designed by renowned architect Renzo Piano, and Turin was named the European Capital of Innovation 2024-2025 and is considered a model of urban innovation.
Art and Cultural Heritage
FlorenceItaly is, of course, famous for its art and culture, and some of the most well-known works of art in the world can be found in its museums.
Florence, the birthplace of the Renaissance, is the most popular among the art cities in Italy and most first-time visitors choose to visit it.
But Italy's cultural heritage stretches far beyond Florence. Padova (Padua), for example, is home to the famous Scrovegni Chapel with its beautiful frescoes; Ravenna is known for its Byzantine mosaics; and Bergamo boasts the Cappella Colleoni with frescoes by Tiepolo.
As regards modern art, Bologna hosts a thriving contemporary art scene, Venice holds the Biennale which focuses on different forms of art every year, while Naples is known for its modern street art and cultural vitality. Whether you’re visiting the museums of Milan or discovering hidden frescoes in places like Arezzo, cities in Italy are a constant reminder of their status as cultural powerhouses.
LESSER-KNOWN CITIES IN ITALY
BolognaWhile Venice, Milan, and Florence dominate most travel itineraries, Italy's smaller cities and towns are definitely worth visiting, and are likely to be less crowded.
Cities like Bologna, Mantova (Mantua) and Ferrara, which are not as well-known internationally but are very popular with Italians, have beautiful medieval and Renaissance architecture as well as more modern attractions, such as the Lamborghini museum in Bologna, and the Galleries of Modern and Contemporary Art in Ferrara.
AssisiThe town of Alberobello in Puglia, in the south of Italy, is renowned for its distinctive, traditional trulli huts.
Pilgrimage destinations such as the Umbrian towns of Assisi, home of St Francis, or Cascia, home of St Rita, are famous for their medieval architecture, picturesque surroundings and spiritual significance.
Tivoli, just a short train ride from Rome, attracts tourists for its Roman and Renaissance villas. And in Tuscany, the medieval hilltop villages of Montepulciano - famous for its red wine - and San Gimignano - with its famous towers which can be seen from miles away – are not to be missed.
Further north, Como offers a mixture of natural beauty and charm, with spectacular lake views, a charming old town and gorgeous historic villas dotted all around the lake.
The picturesque towns and villages surrounding Lake Como, such as Bellagio, Menaggio and Varenna, are also popular destinations and well worth a visit.
VarennaNATURAL BEAUTY AND OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES
Cities in Italy are frequently surrounded by breath-taking scenery, such as the Tuscan countryside around Florence, the mountainous landscapes of the Alps around Turin, or the waterfalls and scenic Sabine Hills where the small town of Tivoli is located.
In Italy, it’s easy to combine culture with outdoor activities, like hiking in the Dolomites near Bolzano, or walking from village to village through the Cinque Terre.
Lakeside towns such as Como on Lake Como, or Verbania on Lago Maggiore, are favourite locations for trekking, boating or cycling.
Further south, you can relax by the sea in Sorrento or Naples, or else enjoy amazing views of Mount Etna from Messina or Taormina.
GREAT FOR SHOPPING
Venetian Glass - VeniceCities in Italy are also great for shopping, and many towns and cities have shopping districts where you can find anything from high-end fashion to local boutiques, jewellery shops, and artisan markets.
Italian design is famous world-wide. Milan, of course, comes to mind, but really and truly Italian excellence in design and craftsmanship extends to many different areas. Think of Venetian glass and masks, Sicilian ceramics, Florentine leather, Neapolitan puppets and nativity scenes.
In many shopping districts, you will find a variety of Italian clothing and jewellery brands, that range from the affordable such as Primadonna for clothes, and Marlù or Inscintille for jewellery to the more expensive brands such as Camomilla Italia clothes and Damiani jewellery.
And if you're a chocoholic like me, don't miss out on a visit to Venchi, where you can get great chocolates and ice cream all year round (all their chocolates are gluten-free).
COLOURFUL FESTIVALS AND CELEBRATIONS
Cities in Italy are known for annual celebrations that are deeply rooted in the country’s traditions and regional pride.
The Carnival in Venice is probably the most famous annual event, attracting huge crowds every year. However, there are other cities known for their spectacular Carnival celebrations and elaborate costumes such as Viareggio with its giant, satirical papier-mâché floats that parade along the coast, or Ivrea, known for its Battle of the Oranges, a massive food fight with oranges that commemorates a rebellion.
The Palio, most notably the one held in Siena, features bareback horse races and renaissance pageantry, and is another event that attracts great attention and crowds. Lesser known internationally are the Infiorata, a flower festival held in different towns; the Truffle Festival celebrated in various regions; or La Quintana in Foligno, a medieval festival with horse racing, pageantry and jousting.
Presepe - RomeChristian feasts also offer much to see, such as the nativity scenes or “presepi” at Christmas, especially in Naples where artisans create detailed cribs and figurines; or the Good Friday processions and Passion re-enactments at Easter time in towns like Assisi, or Enna in Sicily. Or the feasts celebrating patron saints, such as the feast of San Gennaro in Naples, or the Festa della Madonna Bruna in Matera.
WHAT YOU'LL FIND IN THIS SECTION
In this section, you’ll find pages dedicated to the best cities in Italy.
These include not only the large and most famous, but also the smaller and lesser-known.
Apart from an overview of each town or city and the things to see and do, you’ll find tips on travelling around, pros and cons for visiting, and things to look out for.